Special Units

Clinton Wants Funds for Bulletproof Vests

May 1, 2000

Last week, President Clinton attended a service at the Capitol Hill memorial for murdered police officers and asked Congress to increase by twice as much the federal money for bulletproof vests for local police.

Passed into law two years ago and scheduled to expire in 2001, the program enables the Department of Justice to pay for as much as 50 percent of the expense of such vests for local police.

Last year, the government purchased 92,500 vests and still has $24 million, enough to purchase an additional 90,000 during the fiscal year that concludes Sept. 30. Clinton supports as well a congressional proposal to lengthen the vest program from 2002 to 2004, and to double financing to $150 million from $75
million during that time.

Special Units

The K-9 with the DeKalb County (GA) Police Department shot during a gunfight at a traffic stop was released from a veterinary hospital on Saturday. Indi lost an eye during the confrontation, but is expected to otherwise recover.

The shooting prompted a five-hour-long standoff with Trevino, who was barricaded inside the home. The standoff ended at 6:15 p.m. when police found Trevino dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the house.

Officers learned that the shooting suspect, a 56-year-old woman, inside the home and refused to surrender to police custody. After several hours of negotiating, police sent in K-9 Gabo. The woman reportedly opened fire on the dog and hit him.

Authorities reported Friday that the Ventura County Sheriff’s sergeant killed during the mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in October was struck by "friendly fire" during the firefight with the gunman.

The DEA confirms the task force officer was reported missing some time after the completion of an overnight law enforcement operation. Following a search, the officer was located and transported to a nearby hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.